Marion and Zinnia

Hello everyone! Have you forgotten me? I haven't posted in weeks, but I'm alive and I've been sewing and knitting and quilting, if you can believe that. Actually, I have a backlog of projects and will try not to bombard you over the next few weeks.

Let's talk about my most recent knitting project, Marion. Andi Satterlund hosted a knit along for Marion a couple of months ago and while I had good intentions of finishing in the appropriate timeframe it just didn't happen. So of course I just procrastinated and put off posting about it until today because that's what I do. Plus, as I have mentioned in the past, it's hard to blog about something you're not stoked on.

The knitting pattern itself was fine and confusion free (love that), my issues were mostly with yarn choice and my technique. The Drops yarn I bought from my local yarn store is a little itchy for my taste and I'm not a fan of the fuzz. It seems like the cables don't show up as clearly as they should and blah. Just blah.

This was my first cable project, so I am proud of that. The construction was not difficult... except for the sleeves. Why do I suck so much at knitting sleeves?!?! Ok, let me clarify: the sleeves weren't difficult, with the exception of short rows. Technically, I suck at short rows. No matter what I do, I can't make the stitches around one edge of each sleeve look nice.

problem side on the left, good side on the right

Here is a photo from Instagram of my knitting strugglez. Basically, when I am purling back, I pick up the wrapped stitch from the front to knit, wrap and turn, but the stitch on the right side of the fabric looks sloppy. I asked for help/recommendations and some of you suggested trying German, Japanese, and shadow short rows. I'm going to have to try something because my issues didn't block out.

When it comes to the actual fit of the sweater it is a bit off. Normally in sewing patterns I need to do a narrow shoulder adjustment and have to shorten sleeves and it seems like that is what needs fixing in this case too. Despite all the complaining, I do like this pattern. I'd like to knit it again with different yarn, make the appropriate adjustments (can do you do a narrow shoulder adjustment in knitting?), and conquer those short rows!

On the bright side, I do like my Colette Patterns Zinnia skirt! You can't go wrong with a black skirt, right? The fabric is a linen from The Fabric Store in Los Angeles and is really soft and comfortable to wear. In fact, it's been worn quite a bit and will continue to be worn through winter. Add some boots and tights and I will be good to go! Speaking of winter, it's actually raining today, yay!

This was my second time making Zinnia and the construction of this skirt was once again really straightforward. On my first version I didn't add pockets and this time around I did (obviously). The pockets took me a little bit of time because I was struggling with the corners, but I'm happy I included them.

Sorry for being a negative Nancy today :( Here is a photo of my dog Frankie as an apology.

You soldiered on and did a fantastic job on Marion! Well done! I know what it's like to not love your yarn choice but this one really looks good. I suck at short rows, too, and one side of mine always looks different than the other. But, I don't often look at my own shoulders so I try to let it go.

I really love your Zinnia. Linen is such a decadent fabric - I really fell in love with it this summer.

That pic of Frankie is too cute! I like your Marion, but totally understand about the yarn. I can't stand anything itchy, and I've had the same thing happen with knitted garments. I ended up giving them away to my less sensitive friends.

My Canadian brain is trying to parse the sentence "Speaking of winter, it's actually raining today, yay!" This is... a good thing? Because it's not drought? A sign of winter? Help! I think you look great in your skirt and sweater... shame the wool isn't your favourite. Maybe with a long sleeved shirt underneath it will help? Hope you can make it work! :)

Frankie makes it all better! And I think you are being a bit hard on yourself. The sweater looks nice - sorry it feels a bit itchy tho. A T underneath? Take Frankie for a walk and put your sweater away for a few days. It will look better the next time you bring it out. ;-)

knitting is a learning process! i used to love short-row sleeves (no seaming!!) but i struggled with the same issue as you. i think it is because you have to knit an extra row on the first half of the sleeve, and that is what shows. does it makes sense? it's usually not too visible with skinnier yarn, but on DK like the marion, its very prominent. you can see on the left-side picture the little "v"s of a knit row. i don't think anyone esle than you notice though... the colour is lovely!

I always have the exact same thing with short row sleeves, in the same place. So irritating as I hate seaming knitted stuff. I think what Joelle said below makes perfect sense though. I decided to just live with it as I can't really see the problem when I'm wearing the jumper, and as I said, I hate seaming knitted stuff.... You can definitely do fitting adjustments on knitted stuff, just alter the number of stitches so the shape ends up the right size. It requires a bit of thinking and maths, but worth it. You can also blend between sizes in the same way as with sewing patterns, although that needs planning to make sure the armscye and sleeve fit, and adapting any patterned stitches.

What a shame it's itchy yarn as that colour is really nice on you. If it really does irritate even with a long sleeve and collared top, maybe a wonderful handmade gift made especially for someone (who doesn't read your blog ;) )

Awww, Frankie!!! You look cute as can be! I really suck at short rows, too... I often have weird holes that form that I can't get rid of. I'm sure I'm doing something wrong! But I can't see anything wrong with yours!

The sleeve caps are quite ok. Unless you use shadow short rows, they won't be completely invisible. When you're wearing the garment you won't see them though. About the fit, in knits you have to do some maths sometimes to be able to make them fit, but usually they are pretty forgiving due to their stretchy nature. I'm sorry about the wool, I know that it won't get worn as much as you'd want.

I knit a complete sweater, 40's pattern with TINY needles, in a yarn I *thought* I would like and I...don't. I also knit one sweater from the neck down, got three fourths of the way done and RIPPED IT ALL BACK OUT. I figured that part of knitting is knowing when to be brave and either rip or quit. So far I've fixed almost all my previous issues and like how things are turning out going forward but man, what a time suck :)Yeah for the rain! We've got two freeways out here that are nearly impassable, which only adds to the already long commute. Oh, and I have rivers of water coming down my kitchen wall but what the heck, at least I can flush the toilet again.

You did better than I did! I started the KAL by buying yarn...and ended it there. Lol. Let us know if you figure out that shoulder issue...I have it too and just pretend it's not happening with my knitting:) I love your Zinnia! Makes me want to give this one a go!

I actually really love your sweater! (Plus your skirt. And your styling!) But I totally understand when you just have a not-that-great experience with something and it kind of taints the whole project for you.

I have that meh feeling every time I complete anything because I'm so keenly aware of what i DIDN'T do right - this is amplified immensely in a knitting project because it takes FOREVERS to make something, so I can completely sympathize with how you feel, However, I think the sweater is quite lovely - it looks wonderful on you, and I have a hunch if you stick it in the magic drawer for awhile, when you come upon it on a chilly day it might appeal more.

FYI I wear my scratchy wool sweaters over long sleeve fitted tees - works perfect for chilly days ^__^

Hey Erin,I'm totally with you about the Marion. Yarn was a bit too fuzzy. But you're my hero for knitting a cardigan. I've only ever knit scarves and cowls. I'm not brave enough to attempt to fit knits.That Zinnia is rocking my world though! Awesome fabric and POCKETS! :)

Omg, adorable! This toned-down colour combo looks so great :D I totally get that happening with my short rows at sleeves! At first it annoyed and worried me but then I decided I didn't really care that much (haha) but I would really like to know the answer. I just checked on my Marion and it is doing the same thing. On thing I find helped the look of my overall sleeve short rows was NOT picking the wraps up. But doesn't fix the asymmetric looseness!

I think your outfit is adorable! I've bought some knitting needles and have been meaning to teach myself but I'm too scared to start...maybe over Christmas break. Been meaning to sew up the Zinnia too. Geez I've just been meaning to do a lot of things!!I know how you feel about blogging things you feel blah about. I've got one of those posts coming up.

There's a free class on Craftsy about perfecting short row technique. The bottom line is that you have to practice your short rows. Toys or ornaments are a great way to do this as they just pop right off the needles.

As to a narrow shoulder adjustment, my suggestion would be to knit a size smaller in the shoulders. I often knit one size in the hips/tummy area and another size in the bust/shoulders area because I have a proportionally small bust and narrow back.

You always look so cute! I think your sweater is beautiful but I do understand how you feel. I have a Meitte sweater (sp?) that I haven't blogged about because I'm not thrilled with it. I put it away hoping that I was just tired of looking at it while knitting it and once I take it out I will fall in love with it.... we will see.

Oh man, that would bum me out so bad! I'm glad that you are making something you love though! If you had forged ahead and just finished it, you might end up hating it, so you're right, it's better to go back and fix it now! :)

Rain is good here! We are in a serious drought, so rain is very welcome. And it's also a sign that it's winter. The weather is very consistent year around, it's rarely too hot or too cold, I think 70 degrees is a good guess at a median. I live at the beach where it never snows, never rains too much, or gets super hot, which can be nice, but we don't get all four seasons like some of you guys do :)

About Me

Hi! I'm Erin Fosmire and I like reading, sewing leopard print stuff, beach walking, quilting, and knitting in Pismo Beach, California. I'm currently life sidekicking with my husband Luke and living with our three cats and three dogs.